DictionaryAI

revolution

noun
rev-uh-LOO-shuhn/ˌɹɛv.əˈluː.ʃən/

Pluralrevolutions

6 meanings of revolution

Practice

  1. 1
    overthrownouncountable
    When people remove their government, often by force, and put a new kind of rule in its place.

    Like a whole team firing its coach and picking a brand-new one to run things a different way.

    The revolution forced the king to flee the country.

    Many people died during the revolution against the harsh rulers.

    UsageBig named ones use capitals: the French Revolution.

    Note
  2. 2
    big changenouncountable or uncountable
    A sudden, huge change in how people think, work, or do something.

    Like the moment everyone switches from candles to electric lights: everything changes fast.

    The internet caused a revolution in the way we share news.

    Smartphones brought a revolution to everyday life.

    UsageOften a revolution in something, or the digital revolution.

    Similartransformation, upheaval, shift

    Oppositeevolution

    Note
  3. 3
    spinnouncountable or uncountable
    The spinning of something around a center, or one full turn it makes.

    The wheel makes one revolution every second.

    Count how many revolutions the spinning top makes before it stops.

    UsageSpeed is given in revolutions per minute (rpm).

    Similarrev, rotation

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    orbitnouncountable or uncountable
    The movement of one space object all the way around another in its orbit.

    Like a runner going one full lap around a track.

    Earth completes one revolution around the Sun each year.

    The moon's revolution around our planet takes about a month.

    UsageSay a revolution around the Sun; spinning in place is rotation.

    Similarorbit, circuit

    Note
  2. 5
    cyclenouncountable
    A full round of changes that repeats, like the seasons coming and going each year.

    Like a clock's hands coming back to the same spot after a full circle.

    The slow revolution of the seasons brought the geese back to the lake each spring.

    Farmers plan their work around the revolution of the seasons.

    Similarcycle, round

  3. 6
    nounarchaiccountable or uncountable
    The act of turning an idea over in your mind to think about it carefully.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It came through Middle English and Old French from Latin words meaning "to roll back" or "revolve."

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 2 facts